The Oakland Raiders have a superstar on their hands in defensive end Khalil Mack but Mack’s football story really took off at the University at Buffalo. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Lou Tepper, a noted linebacker coach, Mack went from recruiting afterthought to a small-school hotshot.

In his four seasons with the Bulls, Mack was the heart and soul of the defense, racking up 347 tackles, 64 tackles for loss, 28.5 sacks, 19 pass breakups, 16 forced fumbles, four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Eventually, he was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in 2014 NFL Draft.

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When the Buffalo Bills traded up with the Cleveland Browns for the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 draft, it couldn’t help but cross the minds of Buffalo fans for a second that they might be making a move for the product of a local university. Perhaps it even crossed Mack’s mind as well.

In an interview with ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez , Mack joked that wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who the Bills wound up selecting with that fourth overall pick, had ‘stole his city’ from him.

“I talk to Sammy about that every once in a while and tell him how he stole my city from me,” joked Mack, who also faced the Bills as a rookie and came away with a sack in the Raiders’ 26-24 victory. “But it’s going to be fun to [go] out there and play against them.”

It’s plainly obvious that Mack still holds Buffalo close to his heart. The reverse is also true, many in Buffalo still think of Mack as the ‘local boy done good’, even if he’s from Florida.

As much as Mack still loves the city, it’s not in his nature to pull any punches on Sunday. The work ethic that led him to this point just wouldn’t allow it. Offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn will have to put together one heck of a plan to keep the highly motivated Mack quiet.

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